Check out what the Browns did in Cincinnati.
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Cleveland became the first team since the 1967 San Diego Chargers team to record an interception returned for touchdown (99 yards), receiving touchdown (60 yards) and rushing touchdown (70 yards) all of 60 yards or more in a single game.
EVEN MORE:
According to Elias Sports…The Browns are the 4th team in NFL history to record a Pass TD, Rush TD and defensive TD of 60+ yards all in the same game. The other teams to achieve that feat are the 1966 Chiefs, 1966 Washington Football Team and 1967 Chargers.
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To preface what I’m going to say, I want to note that I am very excited about the Browns’ 41-16 win over the Bengals. I do think it is a major step in the right direction after all the WR Odell Beckham Jr. drama.
However…
Taking a look at this game and it’s actually those very stats that prove something of a detriment of sorts. 21 of the 41 Browns points came from huge single plays. With 20 left, two field goals cuts that to 14.
Certainly, it’s not that big plays are a bad thing. It’s just that for the Browns to actually have proven something today may be a stretch.
Baker went 14/21 for 218 yards and two TDs. Those are solid numbers, but nothing mind-blowing. No receiver had more than three catches.
While the win was great, the final score may be a bit deceiving compared to perceived progression this team has made post-OBJ.
Next week, the Browns play the 5-4 Patriots on the road. It’ll be another test and this is what will be interesting to see in the sense of true progression.
In New England, take away today’s pick-six, the long touchdown pass and later long run. See this team have to play a full and complete game with sustained drives, complete stops and a full outing of football. Additionally, cutting down on the penalties.
If the Browns are able to play four quarters of good football on all fronts, then we will know that the progression is truly there. Let me put this in a way that’s easier to understand.
Say a person wins the lottery and gets a million dollars. That’s great, but did that winner really earn the money? No. A true earner of a million dollars would run a successful business or have a great career. The same amount of money on different fronts.
The Browns had an awesome win. Now, let’s see them take that win and build upon it for the next game and be the true earner, so to speak. See if the team will be able to overcome a bit more adversity and challenges while playing a complete game.
Some may think just appreciate the win.
I do.
I simply want the team to be even better moving forward!!!